San Antonio, Texas, September 12, 2018—BICSI, the association advancing the information and communications technology (ICT) community, hosted its annual Fall Conference in the historical and welcoming city of San Antonio, Texas. ICT professionals from all over the world began gathering at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center on Sunday and Monday for Pre-Conference seminars and exhibits.

The Exhibit Hall officially opened Monday evening with a Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony, which included a performance from the Bret Mullins Band, a top country music band. The Exhibit Hall was full of activity as 120 exhibitors spoke to excited attendees about the latest products and solutions that will help them in their careers.
Also featured in the Exhibit Hall is the First-Time Exhibitor Pavilion, where exhibitors brand new to BICSI Conferences were available to speak with attendees about their latest industry advancements.  Also, of note was the BICSI Theater, where exhibitors shared brief presentations on their latest products in “What’s New? What’s It Do?” demonstrations.

BICSI President Jeff Beavers, RCDD, OSP, CFHP, officially opened the conference Tuesday morning, highlighting conference activities and noting some of BICSI’s latest educational releases, including the recently updated ANSI/BICSI 004-2018, Information Communication Technology Systems Design and Implementation Best Practices for Healthcare Institutions and Facilities and the revamped Outside Plant Design credentialing program. “Education has always been BICSI's number one priority,” said Beavers. "The release of new and relevant manuals and curriculum ensure that BICSI and its members and credential holders remain at the forefront of the ICT industry. It is essential that we keep up with the ever-changing technologies that impact telecommunications systems." 

Following Beaver’s opening remarks, Jack Uldrich delivered an enlightening Opening Keynote presentation. As a world-renowned speaker on technology, change management and leadership, Uldrich spoke to attendees about emerging and future trends in the industry. During his presentation, he shared his insights on how to create a successful future and the transformational principles of unlearning or freeing yourself from obsolete knowledge and assumptions.

Tuesday’s General Session continued with educational presentations on Internet of Things (IoT) and 5G; enterprise fiber networks; the convergence of wireless and wireline; Ethernet standardization and PoE. 

The 2018 BICSI Fall Conference offers more educational sessions, networking opportunities and exhibit hours through Thursday afternoon.